Bob Sullivan has been in the Office Furniture and Moving business for 38 years helping furniture dealers and facilities managers re-invent their office space. Currently, Bob is a Partner with Total Project Solutions. Being involved in every aspect of these businesses over the years, he spends most of his days now doing hundreds of quotes a year. He also loves to network as much as possible and rarely misses that opportunity with IFMA. He has served on the golf and new member committees many years. Bob resides in Garnet Valley with his wife Sue and enjoys spending time with his 3 children and 2 granddaughters.
How do you interact with Facility Managers?
That’s easy, I never met a facilities manager I didn’t respect and like in 30 plus years. We’re in a fast-paced tough industry and they always have our back. The goal is teamwork, and the results are a beautiful space.
Tell us about a favorite project related to working with a Facility Manager.
So, 30 years ago we did the installation of all the furniture at Wyeth. It was a brand-new building housing thousands of employees. We had 16 guys a day for 2 shifts from start to finish. Project went on for over a year. The facilities manager, Deb, was very intense but communicated with everyone involved the entire project. In the end it was a perfect project for all involved. I will never forget that one!
What is your greatest success story related to working with Facility Managers?
At this time, I would say working for Comcast. Without mentioning names, they are awesome from top to bottom. Again, Facilities Managers make our job easy. Kudos to all of them.
Tell us about a challenge or obstacle that you faced working with a facilities Manager and how you overcame it.
Well, we are usually working for the furniture dealer so making it all work with the dealership and facilities managers can be a challenge, we do the best we can to be part of the team. Communication every day is crucial.
What is something that most people do not know about you?
Golf, well not really… More like it is that I flipped or sank on 4 boats so far. Started in high school with a little speedboat that sank at the dock first day in the water. On to a smaller speedboat that as I hit gas it went up a huge wave and totally went airborne and flipped upside down. I swam to another boat. Then at Oregon Inlet my Kayak did a nosedive and I hung on as we headed toward the inlet!! A boater retrieved me and my kayak. Lastly, 96 miles offshore on a weekend trip on a 48’ Ocean yacht (safe right!) but down we went. As we watched the last piece of boat sink from our inflatable raft and sun dipping into the ocean, another boat saw us drifting out in international waters. We jumped onto his boat till Coast Guards arrived for a 6-hour journey back to Cape May. To be continued, I still love fishing
What learning experience would you pass onto future FM’s?
It takes a long time and hard work to become a facilities manager. When that position becomes yours, you are the same person that started the career. Be yourself and everyone will respect and enjoy working together as a team.
Bob Sullivan has been in the Office Furniture and Moving business for 38 years helping furniture dealers and facilities managers re-invent their office space. Currently, Bob is a Partner with Total Project Solutions. Being involved in every aspect of these businesses over the years, he spends most of his days now doing hundreds of quotes a year. He also loves to network as much as possible and rarely misses that opportunity with IFMA. He has served on the golf and new member committees many years. Bob resides in Garnet Valley with his wife Sue and enjoys spending time with his 3 children and 2 granddaughters.
How do you interact with Facility Managers?
That’s easy, I never met a facilities manager I didn’t respect and like in 30 plus years. We’re in a fast-paced tough industry and they always have our back. The goal is teamwork, and the results are a beautiful space.
Tell us about a favorite project related to working with a Facility Manager.
So, 30 years ago we did the installation of all the furniture at Wyeth. It was a brand-new building housing thousands of employees. We had 16 guys a day for 2 shifts from start to finish. Project went on for over a year. The facilities manager, Deb, was very intense but communicated with everyone involved the entire project. In the end it was a perfect project for all involved. I will never forget that one!
What is your greatest success story related to working with Facility Managers?
At this time, I would say working for Comcast. Without mentioning names, they are awesome from top to bottom. Again, Facilities Managers make our job easy. Kudos to all of them.
Tell us about a challenge or obstacle that you faced working with a facilities Manager and how you overcame it.
Well, we are usually working for the furniture dealer so making it all work with the dealership and facilities managers can be a challenge, we do the best we can to be part of the team. Communication every day is crucial.
What is something that most people do not know about you?
Golf, well not really… More like it is that I flipped or sank on 4 boats so far. Started in high school with a little speedboat that sank at the dock first day in the water. On to a smaller speedboat that as I hit gas it went up a huge wave and totally went airborne and flipped upside down. I swam to another boat. Then at Oregon Inlet my Kayak did a nosedive and I hung on as we headed toward the inlet!! A boater retrieved me and my kayak. Lastly, 96 miles offshore on a weekend trip on a 48’ Ocean yacht (safe right!) but down we went. As we watched the last piece of boat sink from our inflatable raft and sun dipping into the ocean, another boat saw us drifting out in international waters. We jumped onto his boat till Coast Guards arrived for a 6-hour journey back to Cape May. To be continued, I still love fishing
What learning experience would you pass onto future FM’s?
It takes a long time and hard work to become a facilities manager. When that position becomes yours, you are the same person that started the career. Be yourself and everyone will respect and enjoy working together as a team.
Past Event Highlights, Upcoming Events, Learning Opportunities, FM Spotlight Highlights, and much, much more! Click on image to view newsletter!
Past Event Highlights, Upcoming Events, Learning Opportunities, FM Spotlight Highlights, and much, much more! Click on image to view newsletter!
In 2024, IFMA Philadelphia is introducing the Project of the Year Awards – Facility/Building projects that showcase excellence and innovation in any of the 11
